The Mandibular Condylar Cartilage: a Review

Published by: International Journal of Jaw Functional Orthopedics (2004)

The condylar cartilage is the most important growing site in the mandible. This does not deny that other areas play an important role in mandibular growth, and influence the amount and direction of that growth. However, the condylar cartilage is responsible for the final length of the mandible. The purpose of this paper is to review the actual knowledge about the physiology of the mandibular condylar cartilage and how this cartilage responds to extrinsic and intrinsic stimulus.

Influence of Growth Hormone on the Mandibular Condylar Cartilage of Rats

Published by: Archives of Oral Biology (2004)

Growth hormone (GH) stimulates mandibular growth but its effect on the mandibular condylar cartilage is not well understood. This study was designed to understand the influence of GH on mitotic activity and on chondrocytes maturation. The effect of GH on cartilage thickness was also determined.

The effect of altered occlusion on the mandibular condylar cartilage remains unclear. This study investigated the effect of unilateral incisor disocclusion on cartilage thickness, on mitotic activity and on chondrocytes maturation and differentiation in the mandibular condylar cartilage of rats.

Soft Tissue Dysfunction: a Missing Clue when Treating Malocclusions

Published by: International Journal of Jaw Functional Orthopedics (2005)

Contemporaneous treatment of malocclusions concerns about the effect of the muscular activity in the occlusion. Treatment of malocclusion involves dental alignment, jaw repositioning, stabilization of the activity of the masticatory muscles, the muscles of the tongue and the muscles of the cheeks and lips in order to achieve a balance between the forces delivered on the arches and teeth by all the muscles involved in oral functions.

Combining Functional and Fixed Appliances to Improve Results in Open Bite Treatment

Published by: The American Association for Functional Orthodontics

Open bite is one of the most challenging malocclusions and its treatment must aim to improve occlusion and muscular function in the masticatory system, producing a satisfactory and stable result. This clinical report presents a patient with an open bite in mixed dentition associated with a Class II, division 1 malocclusion and a posterior unilateral crossbite. By combining functional and fixed appliances, the open bite was closed, a good occlusion was reinstated and muscular activity was improved in a simpler way.